2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[NatP4]

Joe Wieskamp, Micah Potter, Gaige Prim, Allan Griffin, Benedict Mathurin, Justin Champagnie, Sam Hauser, and Isaiah Livers would be some guys to watch in round 2.

[doclinkin]

We would have to buy or trade for a 2nd round pick.

[Ruzious]

Joe Wieskamp, Micah Potter, Gaige Prim, Allan Griffin, Benedict Mathurin, Justin Champagnie, Sam Hauser, and Isaiah Livers would be some guys to watch in round 2.

Sam really impressed me over the weekend with his ability to create shots. This may sound crazy, but I think he's close to Corey Kispert as a prospect - though Corey is a bit better.

[pcbothwel]

What am I missing? Isnt Bouknight what you hope Jalen Green will be? If he slips out of the top 10, He's a Donovan Mitchell type steal.

Watch on YouTube

[queridiculo]

We would have to buy or trade for a 2nd round pick.

The Pelicans have two first rounders and two seconds, I wonder if the Wizards could just buy back their own selection.

[nate33]

We would have to buy or trade for a 2nd round pick.

The Pelicans have two first rounders and two seconds, I wonder if the Wizards could just buy back their own selection.

Or at least trade one of our two 2024 2nd's for a 2021 2nd.

We have our pick and the Memphis pick in 2024.

[NatP4]

We would have to buy or trade for a 2nd round pick.

The Pelicans have two first rounders and two seconds, I wonder if the Wizards could just buy back their own selection.

Or at least trade one of our two 2024 2nd's for a 2021 2nd.

We have our pick and the Memphis pick in 2024.

Or trade any of Lopez, Neto, Ish, Bertans, and Wagner for picks.

Hopefully the pick up atleast a couple 2nd round picks

[queridiculo]

We would have to buy or trade for a 2nd round pick.

The Pelicans have two first rounders and two seconds, I wonder if the Wizards could just buy back their own selection.

Or at least trade one of our two 2024 2nd's for a 2021 2nd.

We have our pick and the Memphis pick in 2024.

Btw, kudos to Sheppard, those 2022 and 2023 2nd rounders are looking extra juicy right now.

[nate33]

The Pelicans have two first rounders and two seconds, I wonder if the Wizards could just buy back their own selection.

Or at least trade one of our two 2024 2nd's for a 2021 2nd.

We have our pick and the Memphis pick in 2024.

Or trade any of Lopez, Neto, Ish, Bertans, and Wagner for picks.

Hopefully the pick up atleast a couple 2nd round picks

I'd be in favor of any of these (except maybe Wagner, whom I would like to try and resign), but there is always the looming issue of keeping Beal happy by trying to win now. Sheppard is going to be hesitant to trade away any potential wins this season for a pick/prospect that helps us 3 years down the road.

With that in mind, I think the only guy that might be moved is Bonga, because we are not using him. Ish has no value. And Neto, Lopez, Wagner and Bertans help us win games.

If I were running things, Neto would definitely be the guy I shop first. I really like the way he is playing, but that's exactly why he would have trade value. And with his small cap number, lots of teams might be interested. The possible additional benefit of trading Neto is that it would open up a spot for Troy Brown to get minutes again. And we really need him to get back on track because he can help us in the long run (or at least boost his trade value).

Lopez should also be shopped, but I'm not sure if we'd get anything. Teams generally go small in the playoffs, so they're not looking for another big guy who will probably get played off the floor. I suppose maybe an Eastern Conference team looking to match up with Embiid might be interested, but what can they offer? A pick in the 50's doesn't interest me.

I'd certainly shop Bertans too, but we'd have to get a pretty good return - definitely a 1st round pick. I think dumping Bertans just for cap room is the kind of thing that might actually test Beal's loyalty. Honestly, Bertans' improved play of late is probably the biggest reason for our good play these last 15 games or so. Without him on the floor, the paint is so clogged with either Lopez or Len at center.

[NatP4]

I’m not trying to predict what the wizards will do, I’m stating what I would do. They are locked into win now mode. It’s obvious.

Bonga would the last player out of those mentioned, that I would want to trade away for a 2nd rounder.

[NatP4]

Livers might be one of the more underrated 2nd round prospects. He’s going to be a good shooter and solid defender. Great fit as a 3&D wing. Turns 23 shortly after the draft, but has NBA ready game and good basketball IQ and leadership. High floor prospect.

Great shooter for 4 full seasons against quality competition.

Seems like both Duarte&Livers will be available and round 2 and both are very safe bets to be good quality 3&D wings in the NBA.

[Ruzious]

Livers might be one of the more underrated 2nd round prospects. He’s going to be a good shooter and solid defender. Great fit as a 3&D wing. Turns 23 shortly after the draft, but has NBA ready game and good basketball IQ and leadership. High floor prospect.

Great shooter for 4 full seasons against quality competition.

Seems like both Duarte&Livers will be available and round 2 and both are very safe bets to be good quality 3&D wings in the NBA.

I like Duarte - he's got surprisingly high steals plus blocks for someone who's supposedly not very athletic. Agreed that he likely won't be a 1st rounder - he's already 23.

[NatP4]

Livers might be one of the more underrated 2nd round prospects. He’s going to be a good shooter and solid defender. Great fit as a 3&D wing. Turns 23 shortly after the draft, but has NBA ready game and good basketball IQ and leadership. High floor prospect.

Great shooter for 4 full seasons against quality competition.

Seems like both Duarte&Livers will be available and round 2 and both are very safe bets to be good quality 3&D wings in the NBA.

I like Duarte - he's got surprisingly high steals plus blocks for someone who's supposedly not very athletic. Agreed that he likely won't be a 1st rounder - he's already 23.

Agreed. Duarte is flying way under the radar. He was a stud in JUCO, and one of the safer picks in the draft. We label a ton of guys “3&D” prospects, but few players shoot the lights out like Duarte. He has Seth Curry like ability.

Done anymore research on Sengun?? I still can’t get a read on this guy. No idea how to compare Turkish league numbers. He had a massive performance in the euro basket qualifiers against Sweden (matched up with former NBA player Jonas Jerebko), had 23&14&5.

I’m starting to think Sengun is the X factor of the 1st round.

[Ruzious]

Livers might be one of the more underrated 2nd round prospects. He’s going to be a good shooter and solid defender. Great fit as a 3&D wing. Turns 23 shortly after the draft, but has NBA ready game and good basketball IQ and leadership. High floor prospect.

Great shooter for 4 full seasons against quality competition.

Seems like both Duarte&Livers will be available and round 2 and both are very safe bets to be good quality 3&D wings in the NBA.

I like Duarte - he's got surprisingly high steals plus blocks for someone who's supposedly not very athletic. Agreed that he likely won't be a 1st rounder - he's already 23.

Agreed. Duarte is flying way under the radar. He was a stud in JUCO, and one of the safer picks in the draft. We label a ton of guys “3&D” prospects, but few players shoot the lights out like Duarte. He has Seth Curry like ability.

Done anymore research on Sengun?? I still can’t get a read on this guy. No idea how to compare Turkish league numbers. He had a massive performance in the euro basket qualifiers against Sweden (matched up with former NBA player Jonas Jerebko), had 23&14&5.

I’m starting to think Sengun is the X factor of the 1st round.

I'd have a real hard time passing on him. Just wish he had played in the top Euroleague. Notice lately he was expanding his game - making occasional 3's and increasing his assists. He could be a great offensive player, and his defensive stats are very encouraging. Otoh, he's probably not a great fit with us - considering our needs for defense up front. Bassey or Queta would probably be a better fit for us, even though I think Sengun has a better chance to be an all-star.

[NatP4]

Suggs&Ayayi dominated again last night. I think you could make the case that Ayayi is the most underrated player in the draft.

3-1 A/TO, 13.6 points 8 rebounds 3.6 assists 1.5 steals on 67% TS this season. 132 o rating 92 d rating.

Another safe bet to be a quality two way combo guard off the bench in the NBA.

[doclinkin]

I think you could make the case that Ayayi is the most underrated player in the draft.

3-1 A/TO, 13.6 points 8 rebounds 3.6 assists 1.5 steals on 67% TS this season. 132 o rating 92 d rating.

Another safe bet to be a quality two way combo guard off the bench in the NBA.

He pops up in my searches for highly productive guards. Shows up big against his toughest competition. He's a gamer. Win oriented, smart play. He's definitely one of my picks.

[nate33]

Jalen Green is moving into the top 3 IMO. Maybe even #2.

He just posted 30 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals last night on 11/20 shooting (3/10 3PT). He still doesn't really know what he is doing out there, but he is so physically gifted that it doesn't matter. He is getting into the lane at will and already drawing some contact. With a little coaching, all those forays into the lane will end up with free throws. They're having him handle the ball a lot more, which should be good for his decision making. He made a couple of nice pick-and-roll passes, but he also had some dumb turnovers.

Also, he has no neck. He is going to play an inch taller than his listed height. I'll bet his standing reach is comparable to a 6-7 player.

I think his floor is Zach Lavine of last year - a sure fire scorer with questionable playmaking. But if he works enough at playmaking to complement his scoring, the sky is the limit. I think I might take him ahead of everyone but Cunningham.

Watch on YouTube

[Ruzious]

I think you could make the case that Ayayi is the most underrated player in the draft.

3-1 A/TO, 13.6 points 8 rebounds 3.6 assists 1.5 steals on 67% TS this season. 132 o rating 92 d rating.

Another safe bet to be a quality two way combo guard off the bench in the NBA.

He pops up in my searches for highly productive guards. Shows up big against his toughest competition. He's a gamer. Win oriented, smart play. He's definitely one of my picks.

An improved version of Jerian Grant?

[Ruzious]

Jalen Green is moving into the top 3 IMO. Maybe even #2.

He just posted 30 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals last night on 11/20 shooting (3/10 3PT). He still doesn't really know what he is doing out there, but he is so physically gifted that it doesn't matter. He is getting into the lane at will and already drawing some contact. With a little coaching, all those forays into the lane will end up with free throws. They're having him handle the ball a lot more, which should be good for his decision making. He made a couple of nice pick-and-roll passes, but he also had some dumb turnovers.

Also, he has no neck. He is going to play an inch taller than his listed height. I'll bet his standing reach is comparable to a 6-7 player. I think his floor is Zach Lavine of last year - a sure fire scorer with questionable playmaking. But if he works enough at playmaking to complement his scoring, the sky is the limit. I think I might take him ahead of everyone but Cunningham.

Watch on YouTube

He's made it a clear top 4. Listed at 6'4 179, but he's bigger and stronger than that. I've moved Suggs to number 1 overall - even though Cunningham will go #1. Perfect intangibles - like a football QB - more of an alpha than the other top prospects. Physically tough for his size. Really cares about defense. Can be the main scorer or the main set-up man. Winner.

[nate33]

I just ran the tankathon lottery simulator and got the #1 pick 4 times out of 7. I also landed at #3 once. #8 the other two times.

If we land #1, do you take Cunningham? If not, I think he is the consensus pick for so many teams that there would be an opportunity to trade down like what Boston did with Fultz. Let's say we're #1 and Cleveland is #3. Cleveland's weakest spot is SF so they'd presumably kill for Cunningham. Would they trade their #3 pick and next year's unprotected pick to move up to #1? We could still land Suggs or Mobley and have a likely late lotto pick next year.

Or is that exactly what Atlanta did when they traded away the opportunity to draft Doncic?